INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 10: Peyton Manning on the sidelines before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Peyton Manning is taking in the NBA postseason as a virtual fan.
The NBA is doing a great job of giving games some atmosphere in the bubble. Pumping in noise makes it feel like less of a pickup game, and another touch is having the video boards featuring actual fans watching at home.
Celebrities have popped up as virtual fans from time to time, and Peyton Manning can now be added to that list. He showed up Sunday night during the Game 4 matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz.
Peyton Manning is a fan just like everyone else
Manning was presumably tuning in to cheer on the Nuggets after finishing his NFL career in the city of Denver. That, or TNT wanted to bring up “The Match” back from May that featured Manning and Tiger Woods beating Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson in a round of golf.
The legendary quarterback seems to be enjoying retirement and taking in a game as a virtual fan shows that even famous people are stuck inside taking in the NBA postseason. The fans who showed up on the screen next to Manning can now brag they took in a game alongside the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos legend.
The game itself is intriguing because the Nuggets are in danger of falling behind in the series 3-1. The team played in two seven-game series in last year’s playoffs and earned the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference while in the bubble. An early exit would have Nuggets fans wondering if major changes are needed.
The drama has clearly captured Manning’s attention, and perhaps he can end up being the team’s good luck charm.